Michelle Shephard, the Toronto Star national security reporter, has won one Michener Award, three National Newspaper Awards and two Canadian Association of Journalism Awards with the Star. Her newest book is Decade of Fear - Reporting From Terrorism's Grey Zone. Reach her at 416-869-4391.

There are pointed questions Monday as to whether Man Haron Monis — who had gone from headline-grabbing stunts to charges including accessory to murder — should have ranked higher on Australia’s hierarchy of security threats.